Northwest Fire District Capt. Adam Goldberg said disbanding the crew is a
cost-saving measure that will allow the agency to seek a lower tax rate for its
subscribers.

Goldberg said the hotshot crew wasn't being cut over fears of expensive
lawsuits in the case of a tragedy, like those that followed the Yarnell Fire
that killed 19 firefighters near Prescott last June.

He said higher insurance costs weren't anticipated by having the crew.

Full-time employees will be moved to others areas in the agency while the
crew's 13 seasonal workers will be let go.